GERVAIS: STREIT AN “EMOTIONAL LEADER”
Bruno on building chemistry with his D partner
John Jeansonne has a good look at the psychological approach of improving defenseman Bruno Gervais on the Newsday site today. We also recently spoke with the 25-year old defenseman.
Not that you want to get too comfortable, but do you feel like for the first time in your NHL career you’ve earned a regular spot in the lineup?
Yeah, I do. It takes time, you know. Nothing gets handed to you, and I had my moments when I was really inconsistent. But I have to say, all the coaches I’ve had here, and all the teammates, were really supportive of me and worked with me. I remember when Garth (Snow) was my teammate. He went out of his way as a veteran player to make me feel comfortable. Now I’m glad I get to be a part of what we’re building.
You’re signed for two more seasons after this one…
And that’s good. With this group of players and the way Scott (Gordon) is leading us, I want to be here for a long time and see it through. These last two months, we’re starting to see that all the hard work to commit to the new system is going to pay off.
A lot has been written and said about Mark Streit the last few days. What don’t we know about your D partner?
Let me tell you something. I’ve had the good luck to play with a lot of great leaders here. Doug Weight and Brendan Witt, Billy Guerin when he was here. I think Mark Streit is one of the best. Such an emotional leader.
I have to be honest with you. I’m surprised to hear that. Mark seems like such a mild-mannered guy.
True, he’s a really nice guy off the ice, but that’s different. I’m telling you: he’s become an incredible leader for us. Just talking about my own experience with him, Mark gets on me. If I make a soft play, I hear about it from him. He pushes and pushes me, and I think that’s made me a much better player the second half of this season.
Although Streit is known for his offense, from watching you play together, it’s not like he’s always the one rushing the puck and you’re stuck to take care of the defense.
Not at all, that’s right. We have really good chemistry. We know how to handle each situation. It’s become like second nature. When he goes, I have it covered. And if he gets the puck to me, I never have to worry about him having my back. Even with some of the attention Mark is getting lately, his defensive play is really underrated. He deserves to get a lot of Norris votes.
Is it fair to say Streit has had a lot to do with you developing into a regular this season?
There is no doubt about it. I even have the locker stall next to his. Between periods, he’s always encouraging me: “YOU GO”! You would think if you’re the defense partner of Mark Streit, that’s the last thing you’d be doing. But Mark wants what’s best for me and the team. On top of that, he knows everything about every player in the league. He is so well-prepared and that has rubbed off on me. Confidence comes from preparation.
Comments.
33 Responses to “GERVAIS: STREIT AN “EMOTIONAL LEADER”
Bruno on building chemistry with his D partner”
Please Wait
bruno gettin some ink….nice.
i have to admit I was down on him early in the season but since Campoli left and he started playing with Streit he has played great.
2nd
way to go Bruno… keep up the great work!!!
@2…please, I hope this beautiful site doesn’t turn into one of those “state the number of the position you posted in” places.
That being said, It’s good to hear some genuine input from Bruno on Streit. Nice piece. I’m confident Bruno can be a part of the solution here. Streit may be that extra push he needed to maintain the consistent level of play needed for Gordo.
OTTAWA TOMORROW?
Anyone coming up for the game in Ottawa tommorrow? I haven’t bought a ticket yet, but I’d be willing to hang with fellow Isles fans, and even buy the first pop…
Bruno is another example of how things are changing for the better with the Islander. The coach, GM players are all on the same page and the players who are not are elsewhere.
Impressive. I too was down on Bruno. My nickname for him was the traffic cone. It’s good to see him play better. Seems like Streit is really a cornerstone of this team right now!!!
I never thought I’d see “Bruno appreciation day” in the media. It’s kinda cool. It’s taken him some time, but he has come a long way.
7th Woman - I agree 100%. I figured Bruno was turning into basically a 6/7 fringe guy at best who did a lot of charity work. His development had been a pleasent surprise.
off topic, but tom suozzi will be on WFAN with boomer and kim jones sometime before 10 am today
I agree that I was down on Gervais too at the beginning of the year, but his progress is noticeable.
Mark Streit for Captain next year!
Give Streit the C
Loved the Newsday article as well. Also loved the blurb in the “Notes & Quotes” at the end about the 1 year contract signed by Tim ‘Jackson’. Idiots. I guess the chimp they have on staff as a proof reader was off today.
I have to say, Bruno has been very solid of late. He’ll never be a spectacular player, but he’s been very good and more than serviceable.
Personally, I never thought this kid would hack it. He’s proved me wrong this 2nd half of the year.
As others have alluded, I can’t help but think that the departure of Campoli was a good thing for him. Bruno appeared to be more immature on and off the ice w/Campoli around. Who knows, chalk it up to a possible bad influence. W/his buddy not around, perhaps it served as a wake-up call to Bruno.
Either way, he needs to keep it up and build upon it.
Go Canes! They need to catch the Rags!
I alwys thought that Campoli and Grevais were comparable players. Campoli was a bit more consistent but Grevais has more upside. He still needs to let his shot go alot more.
Playing with Streit is only going to help him more.
Unfortunately for us TAVARES seekers, getting back Sutton will only make the isles better. That takes Pock whom is totally useless in lineup and replaces him with a good defender.
Carolina has been hot. They are in playoff hunt. Carolina should win. I dont care. Just want to see alot of goals from youngings. I want to see Streit or Okposo get to 20 goals.
Definitely like “second half Bruno” much more than “first half Bruno”. . been great to see him improve week by week - and even get into his first scrap!
Pairing with Streit was huge for him. Maybe getting rid of our bad apple on “D” helped raised Bruno’s confidence, as well.
Good article but it would’ve been nice to hear more about hes relationship with Campoli, how he wanted out and Bruno’s take on it, not just the Mark Streit lovefest thats been going on all week. I am glad we finally get to watch some islanders hockey tonight.
Moose, I would like to know that too but I highly doubt Gervais or any player would disclose dirt. He’s a classy young kid with a good sense of humor who’s coming into his own. Why would he open a can of worms?
Bruno’s turnaround this year is a pleasant surprise. I’m glad he’s finally putting it together. Streit sounds like a great leader, definitely a candidate for captain. He needs to start working with Bruno on his slapper though, he could be great threat from the blue line the accuracy is there but I don’t think he can break the 50mph mark with his slapper
Bruno has been soild since the 2nd half.
Great Job keep it up!!!!!!!!!!
Happy to see Bruno get some positive recognition. I think he has yet to reach his full potential. Having Mark Streit as his defense partner has certainly helped his confidence. Glad to see it. And have I stated how happy I am that we have Mark Streit? He is such a great addition to this team.
Bruno could end up being a top 4 dmen if he can add a little more offense to his game. I am really liking his play more and more..
Gone are the days that me and my buds called him “Brutal” Gervais.
I can’t tell what clicked, but Bruno is playing a bigger, stronger, faster game.
Nothing Brutal about his game anymore.
Like i said, If isles Sign Danis as reliable back up and back up if DP goes down again, With this team, this system and JT in lineup. Im almost certain isles can be playoff team.
Do i think we are cup contenders. Not yet. but would be nice to see isles go in to playoffs and at least make first round splash.
Seems like respect for isles from other teams has gone up considerably.
God i hope we can stay in last place.
Wasn’t he a 7th round pick?
Off topic, but if Dougie Weight, respected NHL vet, wants to stay, and believes the turnaround for this team can be a quick one, that attitude & way of thinking can really help out a guy like bruno, confidence is everything
just a couple of months ago i asked CB how disappointed snow/gordon were in bruno’s lack of development. i had thought he would be a solid backline mainstay and big part of the team by now, but had fallen way short. boy was i off on that. at some point earlier this year things came together for him. maybe the injuries to other D-men kind of pushed him along, but it’s clear from bruno’s own words that streit’s presence has been great for him. it’s really cool to watch these players blossom together and form a real nucleus on an improving team. it’s been so long.
Gervais looked pretty good in the 2007 playoffs against Buffalo, then seemed to take a step backward last year.
Since Campoli has been gone, the vote of confidence has been like a shot of adrenalin and he’s been great.
With Sutton coming back and the play of MacDonald and Callahan showing that they didn’t embarrass themselves in the NHL this group should allow Snow to focus on top 6 forwards in the draft and in July.
Gervais is PURE gold to a GM who has to worry about cash flow limitations.
Here is another interesting stat(sorry CB)
Look who’s #16.
http://www.fromtherink.com/2009/3/13/795668/the-rod-langway-award-lead
BR,
I will be at the game in Ottawa, got sweet seats too…
Gervais seems to be developping into a very nice defenseman…all the patience seems to be working out…It will be fun to see him play and the reste of the young guns on Saturday…
@#29… that is amazing
We’ll be at the game as well, after a miserably long bus ride.
Bruno is a great guy, great sense of humor, great for charity and great for fans … Last summer at ice works he busted my 10 year old nephew making googlie eyes at an ice girl … it was hilarious to see my nephew’s reaction and it ended up busting up Bruno in laughter … good times good times.
I think part of Bruno’s improvement has to do with natural maturation, positive mentorship from coaching, confidence, and finally being challenged when injuries mounted. Bruno took the bull by the horns and didn’t shy away from responsibility and the results were golden. Streit as a late bloomer himself saw the ability in Gervais and took him under his wing.